Held on UW-Stout’s beautiful campus, the FreshStart Series is a budget- and schedule-friendly program offering four 2-hour classes that introduce essential strategies in fitness, financial wellness, meal planning and mindfulness.
Register for one class or take advantage of a special series price to attend all four!
Discounts are also available for UW-Stout alumni, faculty and staff.
You will gain knowledge and skills from expert instructors that you can immediately use to enhance your daily routines, build sustainable habits, and improve your overall well-being throughout the year. Check back soon for links to registration!
What will you gain?
Money Matters Made Simple: A Financial Reset for 2026
January 10, 2026, 10 am - noon
- Clarify and define your personal financial and savings goals in a way that guides your decision-making
- Explore 4 practical budgeting strategies and determine which approach best fits your lifestyle and financial needs
- Develop a personalized budget based on your income and learned how to adjust it so it aligns with your short- and long-term financial goals
Reflect and Reset: A Mindfulness Journey into 2026
January 17, 2026, 10 am - noon
- Discuss mindfulness, breathing techniques, meditation and your senses
- Participate in a guided meditation, reflecting on 2025 and intention-setting for 2026
- Prepare a personal gratitude jar to take with you
Stress-Free Meal Planning: Prep-Along to Better Habits in 2026
January 24, 2026, 10 am - noon
- Examine different meal-prepping styles and meal-planning strategies
- Identify smart-shopping essentials and discuss prep and storage basics
- Experience a healthy meal-prep demo and taste the results!
Mindful Movement: Build Your Strength in 2026
January 31, 2026, 10 am - noon
- Examine the history and principles of Pilates and how to complete a self-assessment
- Identify what to discuss with your doctor or trainer to integrate Pilates into your fitness routine
- Practice a series of Pilates exercises, under the guidance of the instructor, so that you can replicate them at home
Who should enroll?
These classes are open to adults (18+). We particularly welcome community members to our campus! We are also happy to offer a discount to UW-Stout alumni, students and staff. For the Mindful Movement class, participants should be able to comfortably get down on the floor and get back up again. Please see information on accommodations lower on this page.
What will it cost?
Earlybird Registration (20% discount) by Jan. 3rd:
- $28/class
- $88/series (all four classes)
Regular Registration:
- $35/class
- $110/series (all four classes)
UW Stout Faculty, Staff, Student, and Alumni Registration (20% discount):
- $28/class
- $88/series (all four classes)
- Note to Faculty/Staff/Students: Use your UW-Stout email when registering to receive discount.
- Note to Alumni: Reach out to gieskingj@uwstout.edu to receive a discount code BEFORE completing the registraton form.
Money Matters Made Simple: A Financial Reset for 2026
Mandy Stasiek
Reflect and Reset: A Mindfulness Journey into 2026
Lisa Traxler
Lisa is the owner of Inside Out Transformations located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and emerge stronger. After overcoming obstacles in her personal and professional life, she understands the difficulty and potential trauma associated with change. Lisa holds a degree in education and spent 12 years as a middle school teacher. Her diverse curriculum encompassed culture, health resilience, mindfulness, stress management, and daily success skills – all essential tools for navigating change. Additionally, she coached cross country and track for 11 years, instilling self-improvement not just in athletic ability, but also in self-confidence and positive self-talk. Lisa draws on her experience to help clients discover their inner truth, build self-esteem, and take decisive steps towards a fulfilling life.
Stress-Free Meal Planning: Prep-Along to Better Habits in 2026
Miranda Roberts
Miranda is a registered dietitian and passionate educator who works at UW-Stout, where she supports students, athletes, and the campus community with practical, evidence-based nutrition guidance. She has been featured in several nutrition segments for WEAU 13 News, where she shares real-life strategies for healthy eating, meal planning, and fueling performance. Miranda focuses on making food feel approachable, flexible, and enjoyable. When she’s not working, you can find her walking her dog Joy, baking desserts from the Great British Baking Show, or at the gym prepping for her next powerlifting competition.
Mindful Movement: Build Your Strength in 2026
Sheri Baemmert
Sheri is founder and owner of Prajna studio and teaching school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to bring the best combination of Pilates and Yoga to the area. She has been teaching in the wellness environment since 1990 and studying and teaching yoga since 1995. Later she completed training with the NeuroRehab Studio, learning about Pilates for Neurological Conditions. The training specifically focused on techniques for people with conditions like MS, CP, Parkinson's, and stroke. However, everyone has a brain, spine, and nervous system so she has incorporated the tools into all of her classes and sessions. Today, the Prajna studio is able to offer sessions and classes for everyone… young, old, athletes, weekend warriors, surgery recovery, neurological conditions, and everyone in between.
UW-Stout Continuing Education & Conferences welcomes individuals with disabilities and individualized needs. To request accommodations, please contact us at continuinged@uwstout.edu or 715-232-2793. While we encourage requests at least two weeks in advance, we will make every effort to accommodate those made closer to the program date. All requests are confidential.
The Universities of Wisconsin is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer and complies with Title IX and ADA requirements, offering equal opportunities in employment and programming.
Payment Policy
Payment is due by the start of your course, training, or event. To ensure your spot is reserved, please complete payment or make arrangements with the university in advance.
Cancellation Policy
If your plans change, you’re welcome to substitute another participant at no extra charge. Otherwise, refunds are processed as follows:
- Cancellations more than 14 days before the start date:
Full refund. - Cancellations 14 days or fewer before the start date:
An administrative fee of 3% of the registration cost plus $5 will be deducted from your refund. - If you are registered and do not attend:
You are responsible for the full registration fee.
If the university must cancel a program, you’ll receive a full refund.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at continuinged@uwstout.edu or 715-232-2793. We’re here to help and may be able to make special accommodations on a case-by-case basis.